After months of insisting that the voter-approved drainage fee should apply to all people and institutions, Mayor Annise Parker submitted a proposed ordinance to City Council on Monday that largely excludes churches and schools from having to pay it.

Church and school leaders testified at a special council meeting that it still was not good enough.

For one thing, critics said, the exemptions cover only existing buildings. Future schools and churches would have to pay the drainage fee on any increase in impervious cover — such as roofs, parking lots or playgrounds.

In addition, religious leaders criticized the proposal for not exempting church schools and other private campuses.

Councilman C.O. Bradford also said that public schools chartered by the state — independent but publicly funded campuses not affiliated with Houston Independent School District — also deserved exemptions.

For Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, who said she has not decided whether she will support any exemptions when the ordinance reaches the council agenda Wednesday, the criticism of the mayor's compromise proposal was a little too much.

Voters approved Proposition 1 last November to impose a fee on city property owners to raise $125 million a year for drainage projects. The city estimates the average homeowner will pay $5 a month.

Parker and her allies had argued that exempting schools and churches would make it necessary to increase the fees for others. But when she announced Friday that she now supports exemptions for schools, churches and county buildings, she said that revised calculations allow her not to increase the $5 average on those who would pay.

Non-profits get no exemption under Parker's revised proposal. City Attorney David Feldman said the city does not have the legal authorization to exempt charities.

"What we still hear is the answer is no, not yes," said John Mills, vice president of the Star of Hope homeless mission. "It just seems like the wrong answer at this time when community is hurting."

Patrick, Dutton backed

Bradford already has submitted an amendment to Parker seeking blanket exemptions for all present and future churches and schools.

He said he also plans to submit an amendment asking the city to stop opposing legislation by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and state Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, that would exempt churches, schools and non-profits. The legislation would prohibit the city from making up for the revenue lost through exemptions by charging home and business owners more.

The mayor and her allies have said the drainage fee is a local issue that should be handled by the council, not in Austin.

Bradford disagreed. He reiterated his support for the Patrick-Dutton legislation, and said the mayor's revised plan does not assuage his worries.

"I haven't seen yes. I've heard a representation of yes, and when you look through the details, it isn't yes at all," Bradford said.

Bill Hoffman, an oil reservoir appraiser, spoke in favor of a no-exemptions fee. The fee on a big church, he said, may only amount to a dollar or two more per parishioner per year.

"That's not very much to ask for in additional giving to your church," Hoffman said.